Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly instructed the club to pursue a move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly when the transfer window reopens in a couple of months’ time.

The 55-year-old has cut a frustrated figure in recent months amid the inconsistency at the heart of the defence and the Portuguese is understood to have the ambition of pursuing at least one central defender.

According to The Record, Mourinho has earmarked Koulibaly – who enjoyed a strong 2017/18 season with Napoli – as the prime target for the New Year as he looks to find a solution to the club’s vulnerability in the backline.

The likes of Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have dropped down the pecking order at Old Trafford this term and over the past month, Mourinho has stuck with Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof as the preferred central defensive combination.

As such, it is quite evident that the Portuguese does not have much confidence on anyone besides the duo and reports have recently indicated that Rojo, Jones and Bailly could be among those, who could be shown the exit door.

Nonetheless, a report from The Independent has suggested that the hierarchy have no plans of offering Mourinho with funds to spend during the New Year and the 55-year-old may yet have to stick with the current set of players until the summer at the least.